Building a Gimkit-Powered Interactive Whiteboard with Jamboard

Introduction

Interactive whiteboards are in many classrooms now. They should make learning fun. They should help students work together. They should make lessons come alive. But think about it. Are your whiteboards really doing that? Are they truly interactive? Or are they just big screens showing stuff?

Do you want to make Jamboard lessons way more exciting? Imagine this. Your whiteboard stops being boring. It starts feeling like playtime. It gets students super involved. How can you do this? Mix Jamboard with Gimkit! If you’re curious about other fun classroom tools, you might also want to discover games similar to Gimkit.

We will talk about a cool idea. It is about a Gimkit-powered interactive whiteboard. We use Google Jamboard for this. Think of it like this. Take the best parts of Jamboard. It helps everyone work together. It is visual and clear. Now add the fun of Gimkit. It is like a game. It gets everyone energized.

This guide is for you. We will show you how to mix these tools. Step by step, we will build it together. We will find fun lesson ideas too. See how great this is for your class. Jamboard will become a super interactive tool! Get ready to make learning awesome!

The Power Duo: Gimkit & Jamboard – Why Integrate?

Let’s talk about something cool. Why use Gimkit and Jamboard together? It is not just a trend. It is smart teaching. We use each tool’s best parts. We make something amazing. Research even highlights the broad benefits of interactive whiteboards in education.

Jamboard’s Strengths (and Need for Gamification)

Jamboard is great at some things.

• Working Together Visually: Jamboard is for teams. Kids can think together on screen. They can use sticky notes. They can draw. They can add pictures. Everyone adds ideas to one place.
• Easy Whiteboard Online: It is like a simple whiteboard. You can show things clearly. You can write and explain. It is easy to use online. You can learn more about using all of Jamboard’s features in their help center.
• Works with Google Stuff: If you use Google Classroom, great. Jamboard works with it. It fits right in with Google Drive. Teachers also often compare different platforms, and you might be interested in seeing a Gimkit comparison to Google Classroom.

But Jamboard can be a bit plain. It is good for seeing ideas. But it needs something more to keep kids going. Lessons can slow down after a bit. Kids might stop being super interested. Jamboard alone does not always keep them excited for long. It can feel a bit quiet sometimes.

Gimkit’s Strengths (and Visual Whiteboard Enhancement)

Now, think about Gimkit. It is all about fun games in class.

• Fun Games & Getting Involved: Gimkit makes learning a game. Kids get points. They get better stuff. They compete with friends. Games make learning exciting. This approach taps into the power of active learning strategies.
• Quick Help & Learning: Kids see right away if they are right. They learn as they play. It helps them remember things better.
• Play Alone or with Teams: Gimkit has games for one person. It has games for teams. It has different game styles for classes. And if you are just getting started, you might be wondering how to play Gimkit yourself to get familiar with the platform.

Gimkit makes learning fun with games. But it is mostly words and questions. It can miss out on pictures sometimes. It might not be as visual as you want. It could use a whiteboard to show ideas better. Seeing ideas in pictures helps a lot.

Creating Synergy: Gimkit + Jamboard = Interactive Whiteboard Magic

Here is the cool part. When you mix Gimkit and Jamboard, wow! It is like magic for learning. You get the best parts of both. 

Mixing Gimkit and Jamboard does something special.

• Jamboard helps see ideas and work together. It is the place to show and share.
• Gimkit adds the fun of games. It keeps kids excited and learning actively.

Together, they make a truly interactive whiteboard. It is not just showing stuff. It is about doing things and about kids joining in. It makes class super engaging and goes beyond just looking at a screen.

Building Your Gimkit-Powered Interactive Whiteboard in Jamboard: Step-by-Step

Want to make your own Gimkit whiteboard? Great! Here are easy steps to follow.

Concept Overview: Putting Gimkit Questions onto Jamboard Frames

The main idea is simple. Put Gimkit stuff onto Jamboard screens. Put questions. Put game links. Right on the Jamboard.

Think of Jamboard screens like game boards. Gimkit makes them work. Each Jamboard screen is a part of your lesson. Gimkit games make each part fun and active.

Step 1: Plan Your Jamboard Lesson Flow & Find Gimkit Spots

First, plan your lesson in Jamboard. Plan it like normal. Think about what you will teach. Think about how the lesson will go. Then find spots for Gimkit. Where can games make it better? If you are just getting started with Gimkit, you may want to first sign up for a Gimkit account and get familiar with the platform.

Good spots for Gimkit are:

• (Fun Openers): Start class with a Jamboard screen with a Gimkit question. Get kids thinking right away. Start talking about the topic.
• (Quick Learning Checks): Teach something on Jamboard. Then add Gimkit questions. Check if kids get it. Do this as you go.
• (Fun Finishers): At the end of class, use a Gimkit game link on Jamboard. Review everything with a game. End class with fun learning.
• (Thinking Before Games): Use Jamboard to think together. Collect ideas. Then, play a Gimkit game that uses those ideas. Jamboard helps get ready for the game.

Step 2: Make Your Gimkit Stuff (Games & Question Sets)

Now, make your Gimkit games. Make question sets too. Make them about what you are teaching on Jamboard. Use games kids know or make new ones. If you are looking for inspiration, you might want to explore funny Gimkit names to make your games more engaging right from the start.

Good game styles to use are:

• Classic Mode: Great for normal questions. Good for Jamboard topics. Kids answer questions from Jamboard. Then play Classic to learn more.
• Team Mode: If kids work in groups on Jamboard, use Team Mode. Groups work together on Jamboard. Then they play Gimkit Team Mode together.
• Vocabulary Mode: Great for word lessons on Jamboard. Show words with pictures on Jamboard. Then play Gimkit Vocabulary to practice words.

Step 3: Put Gimkit Questions/Links onto Jamboard Screens

Now, let’s really build it! Here are ways to add Gimkit to Jamboard. Choose what works best for you.

(Option A: Easiest – Link to Gimkit Game on Jamboard)

This is super simple to start with.

• Get your Gimkit game link or QR code.
• Go to Jamboard. Add a Text Box or a Picture.
• Paste the Gimkit link into the text box. Or put in the QR code picture.
• Tell kids what it is! Write “Click here for Gimkit Game!” or “Scan here for Gimkit fun!”.

• Good parts: Very easy to set up. Good for fast review games at the end.
• Not as good parts: Not super mixed together. Kids go to Gimkit separately after Jamboard. 

(Option B: More Mixed – Put Gimkit Question Pictures on Jamboard Screens)

To make it feel more connected. (If Gimkit lets you easily share questions as pictures, check Gimkit options).

• Get Pictures of Gimkit Questions. (If you can take pictures of Gimkit questions easily).
• Put these question pictures onto your Jamboard screens as Pictures. Put them in your lesson where they fit.
• Kids look at questions on Jamboard. They think about answers together or alone. They use Jamboard to write answers with sticky notes or drawings.
• Then, play the real Gimkit game. (Use a link or start it on devices). Check answers in Gimkit games.

• Good parts: More visual and mixed in. Helps kids think together on Jamboard first.
• Not as good parts: Takes a bit more to set up. Needs Gimkit to let you get question pictures easily. Maybe better for fewer questions. For tips on making the most of group work, you could consider reading about competitive vs cooperative learning with Gimkit.

(Option C: Mix – Jamboard as a Guide for Gimkit Game) 

Use Jamboard to plan the lesson around a Gimkit game.

• Make Jamboard screens to show what you are teaching. Give info. Show pictures.
• Make one Jamboard screen with a Gimkit game link or QR code. Put this screen after your lesson info.
• Jamboard helps kids learn the topic first. Then Gimkit is for practice and games.

• Good parts: Lesson is clear and step by step. Jamboard teaches visually. Gimkit gives practice. Good mix of both.
• Not as good parts: Gimkit game is still a bit separate. But Jamboard really helps lead to the game. If you are looking for ways to push students further, explore challenging Gimkit game modes.

Visual Examples: Jamboard Screen Ideas with Gimkit Inside

Let’s see some real Jamboard screen ideas with Gimkit.

• (Fun Warm-up – Option B Style): Imagine a Jamboard screen called “Math Start: Shape Quiz!”. It shows a picture of a Gimkit question: “What is a shape with 4 sides, all the same?”. Under the question, there is space for kids to use sticky notes and draw shapes. They think about shape names before playing a Gimkit Classic game about shapes.
• (Learning Checkpoint – Option A Style): Think of a Jamboard screen in a Science class about water. The screen shows how “Water Turns to Gas” with a picture and words. At the bottom, it says clearly: “Quick Quiz Time! Click here for a Gimkit game to check what you learned about water gas!”. (With a link to Gimkit). Formative assessment is key, and you can read more about Gimkit for formative assessment in our detailed guide.
• (Team Thinking Time – Option C Style): Picture Jamboard screens for a Math word problem lesson. Screen 1 to 3 show a word problem step by step with drawings. Screen 4 says, “Team Challenge Time!”. It tells groups to use Jamboard to solve a problem like it. Then it has a link to a Gimkit Team Mode game with more problems to practice.
• (Word Learning Fun – Option B Style): Imagine a Jamboard screen for new words. It has a mind map with new words and easy meanings for “Plant Parts”. On the screen are also pictures of 3-4 Gimkit Word Mode questions about these words. Kids look at the words on Jamboard. They think about meanings. Then they play a Gimkit Word game to learn them well.
  

Lesson Ideas & Uses for Gimkit-Powered Jamboards

So many ways to use this! Here are some lesson ideas to get you going. Consider also that Gimkit can be used across different grades; we have information about Gimkit for K-12 learning if you teach across various levels.

Interactive Warm-Ups & Brainstorming

Start Any Class Fun: Use a Jamboard screen with a Gimkit question to start. Talk about it as a class. Get brains working from the start.

Example: “History Start: Jamboard screen asks, “Why did America fight Britain long ago?”. Link to a Gimkit Classic game about the start of America.”

Formative Assessment Checks During Jamboard Lessons

Check Learning As You Teach: Put Gimkit questions in your Jamboard lesson. After you teach a point, check if kids get it right away. See what they know and adjust your teaching.

Example: “Grammar Class on Verbs: Jamboard screens explain verb rules. Add Gimkit questions after each rule to see if kids understand verbs.” And for subjects beyond just grammar, remember Gimkit is versatile for language learning in general.

Collaborative Problem-Solving & Group Activities

Work Together, Then Play Together: Use Jamboard for group thinking. Kids work together on a problem. Then use a Gimkit Team Mode game to practice as a team.

Example: “Science Plan Time: Jamboard screen for groups to plan a science test together. Link to a Gimkit Team Mode game about test steps.”

Visual Vocabulary Review & Concept Mapping

See Words, Then Play with Words: Make Jamboard screens with word maps or word lists. Use pictures with words. Then link to Gimkit games to learn these words in a game.

Example: “Geography Words Lesson: Jamboard screen shows land types with word maps. Link to a Gimkit Word game to learn land words.”

Tips for Super Gimkit & Jamboard Fun

To make this really work great, remember these tips.

Keep it Looking Good on Jamboard

• Use Pictures and Colors: Jamboard is for seeing things. Do not just use lots of words. Use pictures. Use colors. Use drawings. Make Jamboard screens look fun and easy to see. Think about making it look good first. Then add Gimkit.

Balance Teamwork on Jamboard & Games on Gimkit

• Think About The Mix: How will you use each tool? Is Jamboard for team thinking? Is Gimkit for game practice by yourself? Or something else? Plan how to use each best in the lesson. Design your integration strategically to leverage the strengths of each tool at different stages of learning. This is a key part of effective EdTech integration.

Give Clear Steps and Show The Way

• Easy To Follow: Make sure kids know how to go from Jamboard to Gimkit. Especially if using links or different devices. Tell them clearly on each Jamboard screen what to do next. “Click here for Gimkit now!”. Use arrows to show them.

Try New Things & Change for Your Class

• Teachers Try New Stuff: Do not be afraid to try different ways of mixing these tools. Try different lesson ideas too. See what kids like best. Change things based on what kids say. Make it work best for your class. You can even find teacher communities for sharing Gimkit tips to get even more inspiration and ideas from other educators.

Conclusion

Mixing Gimkit and Jamboard is super cool. It makes whiteboard lessons truly fun and active. It goes past just showing screens and makes learning real for kids.

By mixing Gimkit games with Jamboard teamwork, you can change class time. Make it more fun for kids. Help them learn better. Make class really exciting!